“Be your own critic,” Gulzar advises aspiring writers at ‘Jashn-e-rekhta’

New Delhi, Feb 18: On Friday, renowned Indian lyricist Gulzar advised budding Indian writers to be "their own critic". He advised one can do this by imitating Mirza Ghalib's practice of editing his own works.

He emphasised on 'self-contemplation' and 'self-introspection' for the betterment of one's work, while speaking in a session titled "Hum Sooratgaar Kuch Khwaabon Ke".

"Ghalib used to edit his own poems and often reject the works he did not like. It is important for poets and writers today to know their shortcomings, and be able to edit their own work as well as reject them if they are not up to their standards," Gulzar said at the ongoing Urdu festival 'Jashn-e-Rekhta'.

While conversing with renowned Urdu and Hindi screenwriter Javed Siddique, Gulzar reiterated the vitality and relevance of writers like Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mir Taqi Mir, who were brought novelty in Urdu poetry.

Gulzar asserted that poetry is beyond manifesting grief, it should also touch the realm of "social consciousness", while accentuating the contribution and vitality of Mir's poetry in India's freedom struggle.

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In the session, Gulzar recited one of Faiz's couplets – 'Maqaam Faiz koi raah me jacha hi nahi, jo ku-e-yaar se nikle to su-e-daar chale', which losely translates to 'No destination en route caught my fancy, as I left my beloved's house, I went straight to the gallows'.

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Later, the octogenarian writer took a dig on how love is expressed through messages and chats in the smartphone era, as he was asked to explain the meaning of another couplet "Mujh se pehle si mohabbat mere mehboob na maang", by path – breaking poet Faiz Ahmed.

"There is a pain of the society, of a career and money. I have to face several other issues, so don't expect from me the kind of love we shared earlier. Now, I don't have time to sit and text you anymore," he recited.

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– prepared by Sabhyata Badhwar of NewsGram. Twitter:@SabbyDarkhorse